Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Federal Government says it is targeting the creation of at least 20,000 jobs annually through the second phase of the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme, NJFP, designed to connect high-potential graduates with real-world work experience, training, and mentorship across strategic sectors of the economy.
Vice President Kashim Shettima is billed to officially flag off the NJFP 2.0 on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, in Abuja, and also declare open a High-Level Policy Dialogue on Job Creation with the theme: “From Skills to Jobs and Enterprises: Driving Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship in Key Economic Sectors.”
Speaking during the inauguration of the Project Steering Committee of the NJFP 2.0, Shettima reaffirmed the government’s resolve to empower young Nigerians and close the transition gap between learning and earning.
“The goal of the NJFP is to bridge the transition gap between learning and earning for thousands of young graduates with the required education but no job opportunity,” the Vice President said.
He added that the programme represents “a deliberate attempt to translate the nation’s demographic strength into productive economic power, demonstrating that when government provides structure, partnership, and purpose, young Nigerians rise to the occasion.”
Shettima, who charged the committee to deepen inclusivity and accountability, noted that the NJFP 2.0 must reflect Nigeria’s national priorities.
“As we deliberate today, I encourage us to think not in terms of targets or figures alone, but in terms of outcomes that matter — young people whose lives change because this system works as intended,” he said.
He stressed that inclusivity will remain central to the programme’s design, saying, “Our young people are not a homogenous group; they live in different realities across regions, genders, and social backgrounds. We must ensure that this opportunity reaches every corner of the country — and that placements are tied to the sectors that will shape Nigeria’s future: agriculture, digital technology, renewable energy, manufacturing, and the creative industries.”
The Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme, launched in 2022, is a flagship initiative of the Federal Government coordinated by the Office of the Vice President, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, and funded by the European Union, EU.
Over 14,000 young Nigerians have so far benefitted from its 12-month paid fellowships designed to enhance employability and entrepreneurial capacity.
The Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, disclosed that the new phase has been redesigned to respond to current economic realities and lessons learned from the first phase, with a goal to deploy at least 24,000 fellows over the next 10 months.
“It shows that this administration is not only focused on policy, it is focused on impact. Through NJFP 2.0, we are demonstrating how government programmes can translate into real opportunities for decent work and enterprise creation for young Nigerians,” Hadejia stated.
He explained that the programme will now offer two clear pathways — employment and entrepreneurship. “Every fellow will be empowered to either secure meaningful employment or launch a viable business in strategic sectors of the economy at the end of the fellowship,” he added.
On his part, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Gautier Mignot, expressed confidence that the initiative will transform the lives of young Nigerians. “With the strong support of the Nigerian government, NJFP 2.0 will deliver sustainable impact and long-term employability,” he said.
Also speaking, UNDP Resident Representative, Elsie Attafuah, said the new phase forms part of a wider national and continental strategy to drive youth development through employment and enterprise creation.
“What young Nigerians need is investment opportunities and an enabling ecosystem to make use of their skills and expertise. NJFP 2.0 provides that platform,” she stated.
The High-Level Policy Dialogue, which will hold alongside the flag-off ceremony, is expected to bring together federal and state policymakers, private sector leaders, and development partners to discuss practical strategies for expanding employment and aligning youth skills with national economic priorities.
